Ogun State Don Raise Alarm: Over 10,000 People Don Get Mental Health Wahala in Six Months

Wetin dey happen for Ogun State no be small matter. According to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, more than 10,000 people don waka go hospital because of mental health wahala just between January and June 2025 alone. Out of that number, over 1,000 na new people wey never get the issue before.

She yarn this one during the World Mental Health Day 2025 celebration wey dem do under the theme “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.” According to her, 90 percent of Nigerians wey dey suffer mental wahala no dey get better treatment, all because services no plenty, stigma too much, and treatment cost no be here.

As she talk am, mental health na human right, no be luxury. People wey get depression, epilepsy, or substance use problems deserve same care like person wey break leg or get malaria. Ogun State matter don red, and the government don decide say dem no go just siddon look.

Ogun State Government Don Wake Up: New Committee and Hospitals Don Land

Ogun State government no just dey make mouth — dem don set up 26-member Mental Health Action Committee wey go help tackle the crisis. The committee chairman na Dr. Abayomi Olajide, consultant psychiatrist for the famous Aro Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta.

Dem no stop there o! New community mental health hospitals don spring up for Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, Ilaro, and Ota, so that people no go need travel far before dem see doctor. Dr. Coker talk say the goal na make mental health care enter every local government, make help dey near the people wey need am.

She also mention say dem dey work with NGOs, health experts, and community leaders to train more doctors and nurses wey sabi handle mental health issues. No be to just dey shout “na madness!” again — this one na serious medical matter wey require better treatment and understanding.

Make We Talk About Am: No Shame for Mental Health Wahala

Dr. Coker still beg families, employers, and even pastors make dem talk openly about mental health instead of hiding am like say na curse. According to her, if we dey talk about it, we go help reduce stigma and give people hope.

She yarn say workplaces suppose get supportive environment, no be where person go dey cry inside toilet every Monday morning because of boss wahala. She still call on journalists make dem report mental health stories with compassion, no be to call person “mad” or “possessed.”

Finally, she assure Ogun State people say government no go abandon anybody wey dey struggle mentally. As she take talk am, “Everybody deserve peace of mind — no be only the rich get right to am.”